The Wednesday “WoW” rides usually start from Windsor End in Beaconsfield. These rides are enjoyable and well supported, but every so often we like to vary the routes and start from somewhere different. What we fondly call a “WoW Awayday”!
Strting at Ickwell, the route took us through Northill, Gt. Barford, south of St. Neots, then Moggerhanger, Cardington, Old Warden and back to Ickwell. Mostly flat riding,
Last Wednesday (21st Aug 24) was just such a day. Ten WoW riders met in the village of Ickwell, just off the A1 in Bedfordshire. Whilst this is a great place to meet, there are no public facilities there. Fortunately, it is just a short ride to the wonderful Cow Shed Cafe in Northill for fabulous pre ride coffees and proper plumbing. I have raved before about how good the Cow Shed cafe is, the coffee, cake and service there is first class.
Our ride was a 40mile figure of eight loop taking in delightful English villages, each having a fair tally of picturesque thatched cottages. I have ridden in this area many times and on each occasion it seems able to throw up new and interesting curiosities. This time it happened just a few miles after leaving the cafe stop. We came across a worryingly smoking vintage car parked on a drive way. The owner was nowhere to be seen. Wisps of smoke were swirling around the sides of the rear wheel and something was dripping on to the ground. Should we try to find the owner? Whilst pondering this, Ian suddenly pronounced the car to be a “Stanley Steamer”. The smoke proved to be harmless steam that was mixing with smoke coming from its firebox. So all was good. The Stanley is a magnificent car and quite a rarity, so we were privileged to see it slowly coming to life for its next outing.
Stanley Steam car
The Stanley car’s footplate?
After the Stanley car excitement, our route unwound across the Great Ouse River at Gt. Barford. Its riverbanks busy with canoeists and paddle-boarders gearing up for their adventures. We then looped up towards St Neots, meandering along quiet roads with great views across the landscape. We narrowly avoided a sizeable green caterpillar crossing the road. Steve gallantly hopped off his bike to usher the creature into the safety of the grassy verge. It was later identified as a Privet Hawk Moth, a name which was also given to a vintage de Havilland aircraft. By happenstance many types of de Havilland Moth have flown out of near-by Old Warden aerodrome, which we would stop at later in our ride.
Non de Havilland Hawk Moth and Steve’s shoe for scale
After about 25 miles it was high-time for another cafe stop. We called in at the charming Orchard cafe at Moggerhanger Hall for tea and cake. Whilst seated at the cafe a lady came over to speak to us. She was born in Willesden in the 1960s and was excited to see us all in our club jerseys from her native borough.
The WoW peloton at the Moggerhanger tea rooms.
The final part of the ride took us past the old airship hangers at Cardington, where the R101 departed on its final journey. After riding through the beautiful village of Old Warden, we cut through the Shuttleworth Estate, where we came across more wildlife. This time it was Wallabies, Alpacas, Emus and Goats. The Old Warden aerodrome is home to the Shuttleworth Aviation museum. The hangers housing the exhibits were partially open, so we could get a good view of the historic aircraft inside. This proved to be very popular with the WoW peloton. A Hawker Hurricane was being worked upon, which was especially interesting for Marianne as her father flew these during WWII. We eventually tore ourselves away and rode the short distance back to Ickwell village, complete with its distinctively tall and very stripey May pole.
Coping a a crafty look at the Museum exhibits
I would be very happy to repeat this ride for anyone who was not able to make it last Wednesday, or for anyone who wants to do it again. WoW rides are organised via the “WoW Ride – Willesden on Wednesday” group within the Willesden Cycling Club Community WhatsApp group. If you do not have access to this group then please send an email to “willesdencyclingclub@yahoo.co.uk”.
Miles Back
